"Luoyang city outside, banners and flags block the sun."
It can be said that this is the largest welcome ceremony for a triumphant return since the founding of Great Wei in Luoyang City.
Not boasting, it truly deserves to be called the largest. Even by the time of Taihe Year 1, the Wei Empire had only existed for less than seven years.
Unlike during the time of Emperor Cao Pi of the Yellow Tsai, whose three campaigns were all returned to Luoyang with the central army, this time the central army returned earlier, and the officials also returned to the capital in a timely manner. This welcome ceremony was almost exclusively for the emperor alone.
The emperor, before his arrival, had sent a messenger a day in advance to clearly refuse the proposal of the officials who wanted to welcome him thirty li outside of Luoyang City, saying he did not want to burden his ministers.
The emperor showed compassion for his ministers, and the ministers could not be ungracious. Therefore, by the afternoon, all officials with official positions or titles within Luoyang City lined up at the Dongyang Gate to welcome him, not missing a single one.
The Eunuch Grand Empress Dowager Zhong You trembled weakly as she sat in a chair, sharing the first row with General Cao Zhen.
Fourth - Marshal Hua Xin, Duke of Censorship Wang Lang, and Grand Master Sima Yi, as well as General Guards Cao Hong, who faced east standing in the second row.
When it comes to the seating order among the civil officials, everyone has studied classical learning and Confucianism; it's not just about who holds more or less power. However, luckily Sima Yi is tall, and even sitting on a chair, the Eunuch Grand Empress Dowager Zhong You doesn't obstruct his view.
Zhong You is one year older than last year.
At the age of seventy-six, being a year older is not as simple as the change of seasons. It also brings about a comprehensive decline in physical functions. Zhong You was already too weak to walk.
"General Cao, General Cao." Zhong You's tremulous and indistinct voice came from the right side of Cao Zhen. After listening twice, Cao Zhen realized that Zhong You was calling him.
Cao Zhen walked to Zhong You's side, bending down and leaning his ear close to Zhong You: "What does the Tai Fu command?" As someone in his eighties, it is reasonable for Cao Zhen to show some respect.
"After a while, when the emperor arrives, let General Guards Cao Hong lead the way to greet and help the emperor get down from his horse," Zhong You pointed to his legs and smiled bitterly: "Old man's legs are not smooth at all, but today I have tried my best to stand here."
"This..." Cao Zhen looked to the sides before shifting his gaze to Zhong You's face, then whispered, "If the Tai Fu comes himself, it would be proper. But since the Tai Fu cannot walk on his own, with the Three Dukes behind you, how can it be appropriate for General Guards Cao Hong to take charge?"
Zhong You gently patted the armrests of the chair twice: "How can he not be included? He is the Prefect of the Circuit Office, and when the emperor went on a southern tour, he was ordered to stay behind. Now that the emperor is back, it is only appropriate for him to receive him."
"It's not quite right, though..." Cao Zhen was about to say more when Zhong You's words interrupted him.
"That will be fine, General Cao, old man won't harm you." Zhong You furrowed his brow and looked at Cao Zhen.
Cao Zhen pondered for a moment.
It's not that Cao Zhen is indecisive, but the title of General Cao he holds now is far from as weighty as the Grand General of the Han dynasty, who used to govern alone. Compared to elders like Zhong You, Hua Xin, and Wang Lang, his seniority is significantly lower.
General Guards Zhen, General Guards Zhen... The emperor has been favoring him recently. It's just a matter of who should go first to welcome the emperor. Using Wei Zhen is also okay?
Cao Zhen hesitated no longer, whispering to Zhong You, "As the Tai Fu suggested, I will summon Wei Zhen at once."
Zhong You's eyes were fixed ahead, and he nodded on the chair without turning around.
Seeing this, Cao Zhen turned to Wei Zhen standing in the third row: "General Zhen, come over here for a moment."
Without hesitation, Wei Zhen took a step forward. The three senior ministers and General Guards on the second row were all unaware of the situation, staring at Wei Zhen's figure.
"What is it, General Cao?" Wei Zhen asked with a bow.
"So, General Zhen," Cao Zhen coughed lightly: "The Tai Fu wants you to be the first to welcome the emperor."
"Isn't this welcome also under your leadership and that of the Secretariat? Would it be a problem for you to welcome the emperor?" Cao Zhen looked at Wei Zhen's face.
Wei Zhen hesitated slightly, then looked over at the Tai Fu Zhong You standing beside him.
Zhong You looked at Wei Zhen, nodded slightly, and did not say much.
Wei Zhen understood, and replied to Cao Zhen, "I accept the order. General Cao, where should I stand now?"
Cao Zhen looked to the left and right: "General Zhen should stand beside me. When the emperor returns, you can go to the front of the carriage to greet him. We will stand here and wait for you to bring the emperor over."
"Yes, I understand. Understood," Wei Zhen bowed.
When the tiger guards pulled aside the carriage curtain, Cao Rui's first sight was Wei Zhen's face.
Cao Rui smiled as he stepped down from the carriage, taking a step forward to grasp Wei Zhen's hand: "With Master Wei in Luoyang, there is nothing for me to worry about!"
"I have only done my duty," Wei Zhen bowed slightly and pointed to the direction of Zhong You and Cao Zhen with his hand: "Your Majesty, the senior officials are all standing in line to welcome you over there."
"I understand." Cao Rui glanced at the crowd, then turned to Wei Zhen and said, "How can it be that Master Wei is here to welcome me, rather than the Tai Fu or General Cao?"
Wei Zhen explained softly, "It was the Tai Fu who sent me here, and General Cao also agreed."
Cao Rui nodded in response and walked towards the group of officials gathered there.
Zhong You sat on the chair without getting up, only bowing shakily and said, "Forgive me, Your Majesty. The old man is too old to stand up and welcome you."
Cao Rui nodded and said, "I have always known of the affection between you and me, Tai Fu."
Zhong You's slightly cloudy eyes seemed to sparkle. Cao Rui looked elsewhere without noticing, but this change in expression was noticed by Cao Zhen nearby.
Zhong You... Wei Zhen...
Cao Zhen seemed to have also sensed something.
Cao Zhen and Sima Yi were both with him on the southern campaign, but Cao Rui did not have much to say to them.
After accepting the congratulations of the Three Dukes and Nine Ministers, he also announced the arrangements for the next day's Grand Court, accompanied by music reserved for the emperor, Cao Rui slowly boarded his carriage, and the procession began to move towards the city gate.
Sima Yi riding on horseback began to reflect on the slight anomalies that had occurred just then.
"People are politics."
In these few months, Wei Zhen had been left behind in Luoyang as the Prefect of the Circuit Office and the Assistant Secretary-General. Having Wei Zhen, a person left behind, to greet the emperor is acceptable even if it skips over Hua Xin, Wang Lang, and himself, the three senior ministers.
The problem is, why did Zhong You himself suggest Wei Zhen to go forward, and why did Cao Zhen agree to it?
What happened between the three of them?
Could it be that the wise and experienced Tai Fu Zhong You, with his sharp discernment, has sensed something in the wind?
...
Just like the officers of the central army after returning to Luoyang, the first thing to do is to go home. Although Cao Rui is an emperor, he also has a home to return to.
After entering the palace, Empress Dowager Bian, Empress Guo, and Consort Mao were all waiting at the south gate of the Northern Palace.
Consort Mao is already five months pregnant, and her bulging belly is now very obvious.
Cao Rui's gaze fell upon her, and after exchanging a glance, he looked at Consort Mao's bulging belly. Consort Mao wore a smile on her face, as if to boast, she caressed her waist and abdomen.
Cao Rui nodded slightly. Sometimes, more is not needed than words; a single glance can convey mutual understanding.
"Greetings, Grandmother, and greetings, mother." Cao Rui smiled and bowed to greet Bian and Guo.
Empress Dowager Bian walked forward and carefully examined Cao Rui's face, tears welling up in her eyes: "Your Majesty fought a brilliant battle! Grandmother first accompanied Emperor Wu in the campaign, and then witnessed your father's expeditions one after another."
"No matter how great the victory, the most joy for Grandmother is that you return safely."
Cao Rui smiled and said, "Grandmother's words are not true! Tens of thousands of troops are all around me. This is the safest place in the world! Grandmother doesn't need to worry about me."
Meanwhile, Empress Guo was not as relaxed as Empress Dowager Bian. He was the son, but not the biological son. Even when greeting, his attitude appeared to be full of caution.
"The emperor has become much thinner, he must have endured a lot of hardship," Empress Guo said carefully.
Cao Rui smiled and said, "Mother need not worry. A little thinness is only caused by traveling, and I did not personally fight on the battlefield."
"That's good, that's good." Empress Guo nodded repeatedly.
Counting from the twelfth day of the twelfth lunar month when Emperor Cao Rui set out on his southern tour, until his return to the capital in early March, it has been nearly three months.
However, the battles fought during these three months have been more than the victories achieved by Emperor Cao Pi in nearly seven years.
December: set off to the south, January: began military operations after sacrificing to heaven, mid-February: all victories were secured.
Whether it was Cao Hu, Cao Zhen, Sima Yi, the four ministers attending to the throne, or other senior officials, this efficiency far exceeded their expectations.
November: continued fighting south, selected time and place to launch the campaign, January: formally entered battle, and won a decisive victory in just twenty days.
In other words, one could say that half of their current reverence for the emperor is due to the fact that they have been struck by his achievements on the battlefield.
After concluding the greetings at the palace gate, Emperor Cao Rui and Consort Mao rode back in the carriage to the palace. As the one currently carrying the emperor's heir, Consort Mao's status in the palace is unparalleled at present.
And let's not talk about how they will be affectionate towards each other after months of separation.
On the other side, Sima Yi had no extra public affairs to deal with today.
After returning to his mansion, Sima Yi, as usual, went to his study and discussed the events of the day with his eldest son, Sima Shi.
Since Sima Shiyu was sixteen years old, Sima Yi has been having weekly discussions with him about their studies and various current affairs.
Last year when Sima Shi was eighteen years old, the great and small affairs of the imperial court were almost all discussed with him by Sima Yi. At times, Sima Yi would even listen to his son's opinions.
In Sima Yi's philosophy, nurturing the eldest son was almost the most important thing in the inheritance of a noble family. With such an excellent son already born, how could he not take good care of him and be worthy of the ancestors?
Succession from generation to generation, like water penetrating rock. There are no myths of sudden rise to high positions in the court. It is all built up through the accumulation of generations.
After briefly recounting what he saw today, Sima Yi looked at Sima Shi and asked, "Ermin, do you think there could be any shenanigans in this?"
(Chapter ends)
